Hematopoietic stem cells and methods of treatment of neovascular eye diseases therewith

ABSTRACT

Isolated, mammalian, bone marrow-derived, hematopoietic stem cell populations contain endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) capable of forming retinal blood vessels. At least about 50% of the cells in the isolated cell population express CD31 and c-kit. Up to about 8% of the cells can express Sca-1, and up to about 4% of the cells can express Flk-1/KDR. The cells can incorporate into the vasculature of the retina when intravitreally injected into the eye, and can thereby stabilize or rebuilt diseased or abnormal retinal blood vessels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. Application for patent Ser. No. 10/628,783, which was filed on Jul. 25, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,501, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60/398,522, filed on Jul. 25, 2002, and Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60/467,051, filed on May 2, 2003, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

This invention was made with U.S. Government support under grant number CA92577 from the National Cancer Institute and under grants number EY11254, EY12598 and EY12599 from the National Institutes of Health. The United States Government has certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to isolated, mammalian, lineage negative hematopoietic stem cells (Lin⁻ HSC) derived from bone marrow. The invention also relates to treatment of vascular diseases of the eye by administering Lin⁻ HSC and transfected Lin⁻ HSC to the retina.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) are the leading causes of visual loss in industrialized nations and do so as a result of abnormal retinal neovascularization. Since the retina consists of well-defined layers of neuronal, glial, and vascular elements, relatively small disturbances such as those seen in vascular proliferation or edema can lead to significant loss of visual function. Inherited retinal degenerations, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), are also associated with vascular abnormalities, such as arteriolar narrowing and vascular atrophy. While significant progress has been made in identifying factors that promote and inhibit angiogenesis, no treatment is currently available to specifically treat ocular vascular disease.

For many years it has been known that a population of stem cells exists in the normal adult circulation and bone marrow. Different sub-populations of these cells can differentiate along hematopoietic lineage positive (Lin⁺) or non-hematopoietic, lineage negative (Lin⁻) lineages. Furthermore, the lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) population has recently been shown to contain endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) capable of forming blood vessels in vitro and in vivo. Asahara et al. Science 275, 964-7 (1997). These cells can participate in normal and pathological postnatal angiogenesis (See Lyden et al. Nat. Med. 7, 1194-201 (2001); Kalka et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 3422-7 (2000); and Kocher et al. Nat. Med. 7, 430-6 (2001)) as well as differentiate into a variety of non-endothelial cell types including hepatocytes (See Lagasse et al. Nat. Med. 6, 1229-34 (2000)), microglia (See Priller et al. Nat. Med. 7, 1356-61 (2002)), cardiomyocytes (See Orlic et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 10344-9 (2001)) and epithelium (See Lyden et al. Nat. Med. 7, 1194-201 (2001)). Although these cells have been used in several experimental models of angiogenesis, the mechanism of EPC targeting to neovasculature is not known and no strategy has been identified that will effectively increase the number of cells that contribute to a particular vasculature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides isolated, mammalian, lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell populations (Lin⁻ HSC) derived from bone marrow, which contain endothelial progenitor cells (EPC; also known as endothelial precursor cells) that selectively target activated retinal astrocytes. At least about 50% of the cells of the isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention have cell markers for CD31 and c-kit.

The EPC's in the lineage negative HSC populations of the present invention extensively incorporate into developing retinal vessels and remain stably incorporated into neovasculature of the eye. The isolated, lineage negative HSC populations of the present invention can be used to rescue and stabilize degenerating retinal vasculature in mammals. In one embodiment of the isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention, the cells are transfected with a therapeutically useful gene. The transfected cells can selectively target neovasculature and inhibit new vessel formation without affecting already established vessels through a form of cell-based gene therapy. Cells from isolated, lineage negative HSC population of the present invention that have been transfected with a gene encoding angiogenesis inhibiting peptides are useful for modulating abnormal blood vessel growth in diseases such as ARMD, DR and certain retinal degenerations associated with abnormal vasculature.

A particular advantage of ocular treatments with the isolated Lin⁻ HSC population of the present invention is a vasculotrophic and neurotrophic rescue effect observed in eyes intravitreally treated with the Lin⁻ HSC. Retinal neurons and photoreceptors are preserved and visual function is maintained in eyes treated with the isolated Lin⁻ HSC of the invention.

The present invention also provides a method of isolating lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell populations containing endothelial progenitor cells from bone marrow, preferably adult bone marrow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 (a and b) depicts schematic diagrams of developing mouse retina. (a) Development of primary plexus. (b) The second phase of retinal vessel formation. GCL, ganglion cell layer; IPL, inner plexus layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; OPL, outer plexus layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer; RPE, retinal pigment epithelium; ON, optic nerve; P, periphery.

FIG. 1 c depicts flow cytometric characterization of bone marrow-derived Lin⁺ HSC and Lin⁻ HSC separated cells. Top row: Dot plot distribution of non-antibody labeled cells, in which R1 defines the quantifiable-gated area of positive PE-staining; R2 indicates GFP-positive; Middle row: Lin⁻ HSC(C57B/6) and Bottom row: Lin⁺ HSC(C57B/6) cells, each cell line labeled with the PE-conjugated antibodies for Sca-1, c-kit, Flk-1/KDR, CD31. Tie-2 data was obtained from Tie-2-GFP mice. Percentages indicate percent of positive-labeled cells out of total Lin⁻ HSC or Lin⁺ HSC population.

FIG. 2 depicts engraftment of Lin⁻ HSC cells into developing mouse retina. (a) At four days post-injection (P6) intravitreally injected eGFP⁺ Lin⁻ HSC cells attach and differentiate on the retina (b) Lin⁻ HSC (B6.129S7-Gtrosa26 mice, stained with β-gal antibody) establish themselves ahead of the vasculature stained with collagen IV antibody (asterisk indicates tip of vasculature). (c) Most of Lin⁺ HSC cells (eGFP⁺) at four days post-injection (P6) were unable to differentiate. (d) Mesenteric eGFP⁺ murine EC four days post-injection (P6). (e) Lin⁻ HSCs (eGFP⁺) injected into adult mouse eyes. (f) Low magnification of eGFP⁺ Lin⁻ HSCs (arrows) homing to and differentiating along the pre-existing astrocytic template in the GFAP-GFP transgenic mouse. (g) Higher magnification of association between Lin⁻ cells (eGFP) and underlying astrocyte (arrows). (h) Non-injected GFAP-GFP transgenic control. (i) Four days post-injection (P6), eGFP⁺ Lin⁻ HSC cells migrate to and undergo differentiation in the area of the future deep plexus. Left figure captures Lin⁻ HSC cells activity in a whole mounted retina; right figure indicates location of the Lin⁻ cells (arrows) in the retina (top is vitreal side, bottom is scleral side). (j) Double labeling with α-CD31-PE and α-GFP-alexa 488 antibodies. Seven days after injection, the injected Lin⁻ HSCs (eGFP), red) were incorporated into the vasculature (CD31). Arrowheads indicate the incorporated areas. (k) eGFP⁺ Lin⁻ HSC cells form vessels fourteen days post-injection (P17). (l and m) Intra-cardiac injection of rhodamine-dextran indicates that the vessels are intact and functional in both the primary (1) and deep plexus (m).

FIG. 3 (a and b) shows that eGFP⁺ Lin⁻ HSC cells home to the gliosis (indicated by GFAP expressing-astrocytes, far left image) induced by both laser (a) and mechanical (b) induced injury in the adult retina (asterisk indicates injured site). Far right images are a higher magnification, demonstrating the close association of the Lin⁻ HSCs and astrocytes. Calibration bar=20 μM.

FIG. 4 shows that Lin⁻ HSC cells rescue the vasculature of the retinal degeneration mouse. (a-d) Retinas at 27 days post-injection (P33) with collagen IV staining; (a) and (b), retinas injected with Lin⁺ HSC cells (Balb/c) showed no difference in vasculature from normal FVB mice; (c) and (d) retinas injected with Lin⁻ HSCs (Balb/c) exhibited a rich vascular network analogous to a wild-type mouse; (a) and (c), frozen sections of whole retina (top is vitreal side, bottom is scleral side) with DAPI staining; (b) and (d), deep plexus of retinal whole amount; (e) bar graph illustrating the increase in vascularity of the deep vascular plexus formed in the Lin⁻ HSC cell-injected retinas (n=6). The extent of deep retinal vascularization was quantified by calculating the total length of vessels within each image. Average total length of vessels/high power field (in microns) for Lin⁻ HSC, Lin⁺ HSC or control retinas were compared. (f) Comparison of the length of deep vascular plexus after injection with Lin⁻ HSC (R, right eye) or Lin⁺ HSC (L, left eye) cells from rd/rd mouse. The results of six independent mice are shown (each color represents each mouse). (g) and (h) Lin⁻ HSC cells also (Balb/c) rescued the rd/rd vasculature when injected into P15 eyes. The intermediate and deep vascular plexus of Lin⁻ HSC (G) or Lin⁺ HSC(H) cell injected retinas (one month after injection) are shown.

FIG. 5 depicts photomicrographs of mouse retinal tissue: (a) deep layer of retinal whole mount (rd/rd mouse), five days post-injection (P11) with eGFP⁺ Lin⁻ HSCs (green). (b) and (c) P60 retinal vasculature of Tie-2-GFP (rd/rd) mice that received Balb/c Lin⁻ cells (A) or Lin⁺ HSC cell (B) injection at P6. The vasculature was stained with CD31 antibody (red) and only endogenous endothelial cells present green color. Arrows indicate the vessels stained with CD31 but not with GFP. (d) α-SMA staining of Lin⁻ HSC injected and control retina.

FIG. 6 shows that T2-TrpRS-transfected Lin⁻ HSCs inhibit the development of mouse retinal vasculature. (a) Schematic representation of human TrpRS, T2-TrpRS and T2-TrpRS with an Igk signal sequence at the amino terminus. (b) T2-TrpRS transfected Lin⁻ cells injected retinas express T2-TrpRS protein in vivo. 1, Recombinant T2-TrpRS produced in E. coli; 2, Recombinant T2-TrpRS produced in E. coli; 3, Recombinant T2-TrpRS produced in E. coli; 4, control retina; 5, Lin⁻ HSC+pSecTag2A (vector only) injected retina; 6, Lin⁻ HSC+pKLe135 (Igk-T2-TrpRS in pSecTag) injected retina. (a); endogenous TrpRS b; recombinant T2-TrpRS c; T2-TrpRS of Lin⁻ HSC injected retina). (c-f) Representative primary (superficial) and secondary (deep) plexuses of injected retinas, seven days post-injection; (c) and (d), Eyes injected with empty plasmid-transfected Lin⁻ HSC developed normally; (e) and (f), the majority of T2-TrpRS-transfected Lin⁻ HSC injected eyes exhibited inhibition of deep plexus; (c) and (e), primary (superficial) plexus; (d) and (f), secondary (deep) plexus). Faint outline of vessels observed in F are “bleed-through” images of primary network vessels shown in (e).

FIG. 7 shows the DNA sequence encoding His₆-tagged T2-TrpRS, SEQ ID NO: 1.

FIG. 8 shows the amino acid sequence of His₆-tagged T2-TrpRS, SEQ ID NO: 2.

FIG. 9 illustrates photomicrographs and electroretinograms (ERG) of retinas from mice whose eyes were injected with the Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention and with Lin⁺ HSC (controls).

FIG. 10 depicts statistical plots showing a correlation between neuronal rescue (y-axis) and vascular rescue (x-axis) for both the intermediate (Int.) and deep vascular layers of rd/rd mouse eyes treated with Lin⁻ HSC.

FIG. 11 depicts statistical plots showing no correlation between neuronal rescue (y-axis) and vascular rescue (x-axis) for rd/rd mouse eyes that were treated with Lin⁺ HSC.

FIG. 12 is a bar graph of vascular length (y-axis) in arbitrary relative units for rd/rd mouse eyes treated with the Lin⁻ HSC (dark bars) and untreated (light bars) rd/rd mouse eyes at time points of 1 month (1M), 2 months (2M), and 6 months (6M) post-injection.

FIG. 13 includes three bar graphs of the number of nuclei in the outer neural layer (ONR) of rd/rd mice at 1 month (1M), 2 months (2M) and 6 months (6M), post-injection, and demonstrates a significant increase in the number of nuclei for eyes treated with Lin⁻ HSC (dark bars) relative to control eyes treated with Lin⁺ HSC (light bars).

FIG. 14 depicts plots of the number of nuclei in the outer neural layer for individual rd/rd mice, comparing the right eye (R, treated with Lin⁻ HSC) relative to the left eye (L, control eye treated with Lin⁺ HSC) at time points (post injection) of 1 month (1M), 2 months (2M), and 6 months (6M); each line in a given plot compares the eyes of an individual mouse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an isolated, mammalian, bone marrow-derived lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population containing endothelial progenitor cells. The isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention preferably comprise HSC in which at least about 50% of the cells contain CD31 and c-kit cell marker antigens. In a preferred embodiment, at least about 75% of the HSC cells include the CD31 marker, more preferably about 81% of the cells. In another preferred embodiment, at least about 65% of the cells include the c-kit cells marker, more preferably about 70% of the cells.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention, about 50% to about 85% of the cells include the CD31 marker, about 70% to about 75% of the cells include the c-kit marker, about 4% to about 8% of the cells include the Sca-1 marker, and about 2% to about 4% of the cells include the Flk-1/KDR marker.

The isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention can also comprise up to about 1% of cells having the Tie-2 antigen marker.

In preferred embodiments, the isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention are derived from mouse or human bone marrow, preferably from human bone marrow.

The isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention selectively target and incorporate into the retinal neovasculature when intravitreally injected into the eye of the mammalian species from which the cells were isolated.

The isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention contain EPC cells that differentiate to endothelial cells and generate vascular structures within the retina. In particular, the Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention are useful for the treatment of retinal neovascular and retinal vascular degenerative diseases, and for repair of retinal vascular injury.

The present invention also provides a method of treating ocular diseases in a patient comprising isolating from the bone marrow of the patient a lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population that includes endothelial progenitor cells, and intravitreally injecting the isolated stem cells into an eye of the patient in a number sufficient to arrest the disease. The present method can be utilized to treat ocular diseases such as retinal degenerative diseases, retinal vascular degenerative diseases, ischemic retinopathies, vascular hemorrhages, vascular leakage, and choroidopathies. Examples of such diseases include age related macular degeneration (ARMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), presumed ocular histoplasmosis (POHS), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), sickle cell anemia, and retinitis pigmentosa, as well as retinal injuries.

The number of stem cells injected into the eye is sufficient for arresting the disease state of the patient's eye. For example, the number of cells can be effective for repairing retinal damage of the patient's eye, stabilizing retinal neovasculature, maturing retinal neovasculature, and preventing or repairing vascular leakage and vascular hemorrhage.

Cells present in the isolated Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention can be transfected with therapeutically useful genes, such as genes encoding antiangiogenic proteins for use in ocular, cell-based gene therapy.

The transfected cells can include any gene which is therapeutically useful for treatment of retinal disorders. Preferably, the transfected cells in the Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention include a gene encoding an antiangiogenic peptide, protein, or protein fragment such as TrpRS or antiangiogenic fragments thereof, such as the T1 and T2 fragments thereof, which are described in detail in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/080,839, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention also provides a method of isolating a lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population containing endothelial progenitor cells from bone marrow. The method entails the steps of (a) extracting bone marrow from a mammal; (b) separating a plurality of monocytes from the bone marrow; (c) labeling the monocytes with biotin conjugated lineage panel antibodies to CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119; and (d) removal of monocytes that are positive for CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119 from the plurality of monocytes to provide a population of lineage negative hematopoietic stem cells containing endothelial progenitor cells.

The present invention also provides methods for treating ocular angiogenic diseases by administering transfected Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention by intravitreal injection of the cells into the eye. Such transfected Lin⁻ HSC compositions comprise Lin⁻ HSC transfected with a therapeutically useful gene, such as a gene encoding anti-angiogram gene product.

Preferably, at least about 1×10⁵ Lin⁻ HSC cells or transfected Lin⁻ HSC cells are administered by intravitreal injection to an eye suffering from a retinal degenerative disease. The number of cells to be injected may depend upon the severity of the retinal degeneration, the age of the patient and other factors that will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art of treating retinal diseases. The Lin⁻ HSC may be administered in a single dose or by multiple dose administration over a period of time, as determined by the physician in charge of the treatment.

The Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention are useful for the treatment of retinal injuries and retinal defects involving an interruption in or degradation of the retinal vasculature.

The transfected Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention are useful for delivery of therapeutic genes to the retina, particularly to the retinal vasculature.

In a preferred embodiment of the gene delivery method of the present invention, cells in the Lin⁻ HSC populations of the present invention are transfected with a gene encoding an antiangiogenic peptide such as antiangiogenic fragment of tryptophan RNA synthetase (TrpRS). Particularly preferred fragments of TrpRS include the T1 and T2 fragments of TrpRS. The transfected cells in the Lin⁻ HSC compositions encoding an antiangiogenic peptide of the present invention are useful for treatment of retinal disease involving abnormal vascular development, such as Diabetic Retinopathy and like diseases.

Methods

EXAMPLE 1 Cell Isolation and Enrichment; Preparation of a Lin⁻ HSC Populations A and B

General Procedure. All in vivo evaluations were performed in accordance with the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and all evaluation procedures were approved by The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI, La Jolla, Calif.) Animal Care and Use Committee. Bone marrow cells were extracted from B6.129S7-Gtrosa26, Tie-2GFP, ACTbEGFP, FVB/NJ (rd/rd mice) or Balb/cBYJ adult mice (The Jackson Laboratory, Me.).

Monocytes were then separated by density gradient separation using HISTOPAQUE® polysucrose gradient (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) and labeled with biotin conjugated lineage panel antibodies (CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD 11, TER-119, Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.) for Lin⁻ selection. Lineage positive (Lin⁺) cells were separated and removed from Lin⁻ HSC using a magnetic separation device (AUTOMACS™ sorter, Miltenyi Biotech, Auburn, Calif.). The resulting Lin⁻ HSC population, containing endothelial progenitor cells was further characterized using a FACS™ Calibur flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.) using following antibodies: PE-conjugated-Sca-1, c-kit, KDR, and CD31 (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.). Tie-2-GFP bone marrow cells were used for characterization of Tie-2.

To harvest adult mouse endothelial cells, mesenteric tissue was surgically removed from ACTbEGFP mouse and placed in collagenase (Worthington, Lakewood, N.J.) to digest the tissue, followed by filtration using a 45 μm filter. Flow-through was collected and incubated with Endothelial Growth Media (Clonetics, San Diego, Calif.). Endothelial characteristics were confirmed by observing morphological cobblestone appearance, staining with CD31 mAb (Pharmingen) and examining cultures for the formation of tube-like structures in MATRIGEL™ matrix (Beckton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.).

Lin⁻ HSC Population A. Bone marrow cells were extracted from ACTbEGFP mice by the General Procedure described above. The Lin⁻ HSC cells were characterized by FACS flow cytometry for CD31, c-kit, Sca-1, Flk-1, and Tie-2 cell surface antigen markers. The results are shown in FIG. 1 c. About 81% of the Lin⁻ HSC exhibited the CD31 marker, about 70.5% of the Lin⁻ HSC exhibited the c-kit marker, about 4% of the Lin⁻ HSC exhibited the Sca-1 marker, about 2.2% of the Lin⁻ HSC exhibited the Flk-1 marker and about 0.91% of the Lin⁻ HSC cell exhibited the Tie-2 marker. In contrast, the Lin⁺ HSC that were isolated from these bone marrow cells had a significantly different cell marker profile (i.e., CD31: 37.4%; c-kit: 20%; Sca-1: 2.8%; Flk-: 0.05%).

Lin⁻ HSC Population B. Bone marrow cells were extracted from BalbC, ACTbEGFP, and C3H mice by the General Procedure described above. The Lin⁻ HSC cells were analyzed for the presence of cell surface markers (Sca1, KDR, cKit, CD34, CD31 and various integrins: α1, α2, α3, α4, α5, α6, α_(M), α_(V), α_(X), α_(IIb), β₁, β₄, β₃, β₄, β₅, and β₇). The results are shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 Characterization of Lin⁻ HSC Population B. Cell Marker Lin⁻ HSC α1 0.10 α2 17.57 α3 0.22 α4 89.39 α5 82.47 α6 77.70 αL 62.69 αM 35.84 αX 3.98 αV 33.64 αIIb 0.25 β1 86.26 β2 49.07 β3 45.70 β4 0.68 β5 9.44 β7 11.25 CD31 51.76 CD34 55.83 Flk-1/KDR 2.95 c-kit 74.42 Sca-1 7.54

EXAMPLE 2 Intravitreal Administration of Cells

An eyelid fissure was created with a fine blade to expose the P2 to P6 eyeball. Lineage negative HSC Population A of the present invention (approximately 10⁵ cells in about 0.5 μl to about 1 μl of cell culture medium) was then injected intravitreally using a 33-gauge (Hamilton, Reno, Nev.) needled-syringe.

EXAMPLE 3 EPC Transfection

Lin⁻ HSC (Population A) were transfected with DNA encoding the T2 fragment of TrpRS also enclosing a His₆ tag (SEQ ID NO: 1, FIG. 7) using FUGENE™6 Transfection Reagent (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.) according to manufacturer's protocol. Cells from a Lin⁻ HSC composition (about 10⁶ cell per ml) were suspended in opti-MEM® medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing stem cell factor (PeproTech, Rocky Hill, N.J.). DNA (about 1 μg) and FuGENE reagent (about 3 μl) mixture was then added, and the mixtures were incubated at about 37° C. for about 18 hours. After incubation, cells were washed and collected. The transfection rate of this system was approximately 17% that was confirmed by FACS analysis. T2 production was confirmed by western blotting. The amino acid sequence of His₆-tagged T2-TrpRS is shown as SEQ ID NO: 2, FIG. 8.

EXAMPLE 4 Immunohistochemistry and Confocal Analysis

Retinas were harvested at various time points and were prepared for either whole mounting or frozen sectioning. For whole mounts, retinas were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, and blocked in 50% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 20% normal goat serum for one hour at ambient room temperature. Retinas were processed for primary antibodies and detected with secondary antibodies. The primaries used were: anti-Collagen IV (Chemicon, Temecula, Calif., anti-β-gal (Promega, Madison, Wis.), anti-GFAP (Dako Cytomation, Carpenteria, Calif.), anti-α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, Dako Cytomation). Secondary antibodies used were conjugated either to Alexa 488 or 594 fluorescent markers (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.). Images were taken using an MRC 1024 Confocal microscope (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.). Three-dimensional images were created using LASERSHARP® software (Bio-Rad) to examine the three different layers of vascular development in the whole mount retina. The difference in GFP pixel intensity between enhanced GFP (eGFP) mice and GFAP/wtGFP mice, distinguished by confocal microscopy was utilized to create the 3D images.

EXAMPLE 5 In Vivo Retinal Angiogenesis Quantification Assay

For T2-TrpRS analysis, the primary and deep plexus were reconstructed from the three dimensional images. Primary plexus was divided into two categories: normal development, or halted vascular progression. The categories of inhibition of deep vascular development were construed based upon the percentage of vascular inhibition including the following criteria: complete inhibition of deep plexus formation was labeled “Complete”, normal vascular development (including less than 25% inhibition) was labeled “Normal” and the remainder labeled “Partial.” For the rd/rd mouse rescue data, four separate areas of the deeper plexus in each whole mounted retina were captured using a 10× lens. The total length of vasculature was calculated for each image, summarized and compared between the groups. To acquire accurate information, Lin⁻ HSC were injected into one eye and Lin⁺ HSC into another eye of the same mouse. Non-injected control retinas were taken from the same litter.

EXAMPLE 6 Adult Retinal Injury Models

Laser and scar models were created using either a diode laser (150 mW, 1 second, 50 mm) or mechanically by puncturing the retina with a 27 gauge needle. Five days after injury, cells were injected using the intravitreal method. Eyes were harvested five days later.

EXAMPLE 7 Neurotrophic Rescue of Retinal Regeneration

Adult bone marrow derived lineage hematopoietic stem cells (Lin⁻ HSC) have a vasculotrophic and neurotrophic rescue effect in a mouse model of retinal degeneration. Right eyes of 10-day old mice were injected intravitreally with about 0.5 microliters containing about 10⁵ Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention and evaluated 2 months later for the presence of retinal vasculature and neuronal layer nuclear count. The left eyes of the same mice were injected with about the same number of Lin⁺ HSC as a control, and were similarly evaluated. As shown in FIG. 9, in the Lin⁻ HSC treated eyes, the retinal vasculature appeared nearly normal, the inner nuclear layer was nearly normal and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) had about 3 to about 4 layers of nuclei. In contrast, the contralateral Lin⁺ HSC treated eye had a markedly atrophic middle retinal vascular layer, a completely atrophic outer retinal vascular layer; the inner nuclear layer was markedly atrophic and the outer nuclear layer was completely gone. This was dramatically illustrated in Mouse 3 and Mouse 5. In Mouse 1, there was no rescue effect and this was true for approximately 15% of the injected mice.

When visual function was assessed with electroretinograms (ERG), the restoration of a positive ERG was observed when both the vascular and neuronal rescue was observed (Mice 3 and 5). Positive ERG was not observed when there was no vascular or neuronal rescue (Mouse 1). This correlation between vascular and neurotrophic rescue of the rd/rd mouse eyes by the Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention is illustrated by a regression analysis plot shown in FIG. 10. A correlation between neuronal (y-axis) and vascular (x-axis) recovery was observed for the intermediate vasculature type (r=0.45) and for the deep vasculature (r=0.67).

FIG. 11 shows the absence of any statistically significant correlation between vascular and neuronal rescue by Lin⁺ HSC. The vascular rescue was quantified and the data are presented in FIG. 12. Data for mice at 1 month (1M), 2 months (2M), and 6 months (6M), post-injection shown in FIG. 12, demonstrate that vascular length was significantly increased in eyes treated with the Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention (dark bars) relative to the vascular length in untreated eyes from the same mouse (light bars), particularly at 1 month and 2 months, post-injection. The neurotrophic rescue effect was quantified by counting nuclei in the inner and outer nuclear layers about two months after injection of Lin⁻ HSC or Lin⁺ HSC. The results are presented in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Results.

Murine Retinal Vascular Development; A Model for Ocular Angiogenesis

The mouse eye provides a recognized model for the study of mammalian retinal vascular development, such as human retinal vascular development. During development of the murine retinal vasculature, ischemia-driven retinal blood vessels develop in close association with astrocytes. These glial elements migrate onto the third trimester human fetus, or the neonatal rodent, retina from the optic disc along the ganglion cell layer and spread radially. As the murine retinal vasculature develops, endothelial cells utilize this already established astrocytic template to determine the retinal vascular pattern (See FIGS. 1 a and b). FIGS. 1 (a and b) depicts schematic diagrams of developing mouse retina. FIG. 1 a depicts development of the primary plexus (dark lines at upper left of the diagram) superimposed over the astrocyte template (light lines) whereas, FIG. 1 b depicts the second phase of retinal vessel formation. In the Figures, GCL stands for ganglion cell layer; IPL stands for inner plexus layer; INL stands for inner nuclear layer; OPL stands for outer plexus layer; ONL stands for outer nuclear layer; RPE stands for retinal pigment epithelium; ON stands for optic nerve; and P stands for periphery.

At birth, retinal vasculature is virtually absent. By postnatal day 14 (P14) the retina has developed complex primary (superficial) and secondary (deep) layers of retinal vessels coincident with the onset of vision. Initially, spoke-like peripapillary vessels grow radially over the pre-existing astrocytic network towards the periphery, becoming progressively interconnected by capillary plexus formation. These vessels grow as a monolayer within the nerve fiber through P10 (FIG. 1 a). Between P7-P8 collateral branches begin to sprout from this primary plexus and penetrate into the retina to the outer plexiform layer where they form the secondary, or deep, retinal plexus. By P21, the entire network undergoes extensive remodeling and a tertiary, or intermediate, plexus forms at the inner surface of inner nuclear layer (FIG. 1 b).

The neonatal mouse retinal angiogenesis model is useful for studying the role of HSC during ocular angiogenesis for several reasons. In this physiologically relevant model, a large astrocytic template exists prior to the appearance of endogenous blood vessels, permitting an evaluation of the role for cell-cell targeting during a neovascular process. In addition, this consistent and reproducible neonatal retinal vascular process is known to be hypoxia-driven, in this respect having similarities to many retinal diseases in which ischemia is known to play a role.

Enrichment of Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPC) from Bone Marrow

Although cell surface marker expression has been extensively evaluated on the EPC population found in preparations of HSC, markers that uniquely identify EPC are still poorly defined. To enrich for EPC, hematopoietic lineage marker positive cells (Lin⁺), i.e., B lymphocytes (CD45), T lymphocytes (CD3), granulocytes (Ly-6G), monocytes (CD11), and erythrocytes (TER-119), were depleted from bone marrow mononuclear cells. Sca-1 antigen was used to further enrich for EPC. A comparison of results obtained after intravitreal injection of identical numbers of either Lin⁻ Sca-1⁺ cells or Lin⁻ cells, no difference was detected between the two groups. In fact, when only Lin⁻ Sca-1⁻ cells were injected, far greater incorporation into developing blood vessels was observed.

The Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention are enriched for EPC based on functional assays. Furthermore, Lin⁺ HSC populations functionally behave quite differently from the Lin⁻ HSC populations. Epitopes commonly used to identify EPC for each fraction (based on previously reported in vitro characterization studies) were also evaluated. While none of these markers were exclusively associated with the Lin⁻ fraction, all were increased about 70 to about 1800% in the Lin⁻ HSC, compared to the Lin⁺ HSC fraction (FIG. 1 c). FIG. 1 c illustrates flow cytometric characterization of bone marrow-derived Lin⁺ HSC and Lin⁻ HSC separated cells. The top row of FIG. 1 c shows a hematopoietic stem cell dot plot distribution of non-antibody labeled cells. R1 defines the quantifiable-gated area of positive PE-staining; R2 indicates GFP-positive. Dot plots of Lin⁻ HSC are shown in the middle row and dot plots of Lin⁺ HSC are shown in the bottom row. The C57B/6 cells were labeled with the PE-conjugated antibodies for Sca-1, c-kit, Flk-1/KDR, CD31. Tie-2 data was obtained from Tie-2-GFP mice. The percentages in the corners of the dot plots indicate the percent of positive-labeled cells out of total Lin⁻ or Lin⁺ HSC population. Interestingly, accepted EPC markers like Flk-1/KDR, Tie-2, and Sca-1 were poorly expressed and, thus, not used for further fractionation.

Intravitreally Injected HSC Lin⁻ Cells Contain EPC that Target Astrocytes and Incorporate into Developing Retinal Vasculature

To determine whether intravitreally injected Lin⁻ HSC can target specific cell types of the retina, utilize the astrocytic template and participate in retinal angiogenesis, approximately 10⁵ cells from a Lin⁻ HSC composition of the present invention or Lin⁺ HSC cells (control, about 10⁵ cells) isolated from the bone marrow of adult (GFP or LacZ transgenic) mice were injected into postnatal day 2 (P2) mouse eyes. Four days after injection (P6), many cells from the Lin⁻ HSC composition of the present invention, derived from GFP or LacZ transgenic mice were adherent to the retina and had the characteristic elongated appearance of endothelial cells (FIG. 2 a). FIG. 2 illustrates engraftment of Lin⁻ cells into developing mouse retina. As shown in FIG. 2 a, the four days post-injection (P6) intravitreally injected eGFP⁺ Lin⁻ HSC attach and differentiate on the retina.

In many areas of the retinas, the GFP-expressing cells were arranged in a pattern conforming to underlying astrocytes and resembled blood vessels. These fluorescent cells were observed ahead of the endogenous, developing vascular network (FIG. 2 b). Conversely, only a small number of Lin⁺ HSC (FIG. 2 c), or adult mouse mesenteric endothelial cells (FIG. 2 d) attached to the retinal surface. In order to determine whether cells from an injected Lin⁻ HSC composition could also attach to retinas with already established vessels, we injected a Lin⁻ HSC composition into adult eyes. Interestingly, no cells were observed to attach to the retina or incorporate into established, normal retinal blood vessels (FIG. 2 e). This indicates that the Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention do not disrupt a normally developed vasculature and will not initiate abnormal vascularization in normally developed retinas.

In order to determine the relationship between an injected Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention and retinal astrocytes, a transgenic mouse was used, which expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker of astrocytes) and promoter-driven green fluorescent protein (GFP). Examination of retinas of these GFAP-GFP transgenic mice injected with Lin⁻ HSC from eGFP transgenic mice demonstrated co-localization of the injected eGFP EPC and existing astrocytes (FIG. 2 f-h, arrows). Processes of eGFP+Lin⁻ HSC were observed to conform to the underlying astrocytic network (arrows, FIG. 2 g). Examination of these eyes demonstrated that the injected, labeled cells only attached to astrocytes; in P6 mouse retinas, where the retinal periphery does not yet have endogenous vessels, injected cells were observed adherent to astrocytes in these not yet vascularized areas. Surprisingly, injected, labeled cells were observed in the deeper layers of the retina at the precise location where normal retinal vessels will subsequently develop (FIG. 2 i, arrows).

To determine whether injected Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention are stably incorporated into the developing retinal vasculature, retinal vessels at several later time points were examined. As early as P9 (seven days after injection), Lin⁻ HSC incorporated into CD31⁺structures (FIG. 2 j). By P16 (14 days after injection), the cells were already extensively incorporated into retinal vascular-like structures (FIG. 2 k). When rhodamine-dextran was injected intravascularly (to identify functional retinal blood vessels) prior to sacrificing the animals, the majority of Lin⁻ HSC were aligned with patent vessels (FIG. 21). Two patterns of labeled cell distribution were observed: (1) in one pattern, cells were interspersed along vessels in between unlabeled endothelial cells; and (2) the other pattern showed that vessels were composed entirely of labeled cells. Injected cells were also incorporated into vessels of the deep vascular plexus (FIG. 2 m). While sporadic incorporation of Lin⁻ HSC-derived EPC into neovasculature has been previously reported, this is the first report of vascular networks being entirely composed of these cells. This demonstrates that cells from a population of bone marrow-derived Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention injected intravitreally can efficiently incorporate into any layer of the forming retinal vascular plexus.

Histological examination of non-retinal tissues (e.g., brain, liver, heart, lung, bone marrow) did not demonstrate the presence of any GFP positive cells when examined up to 5 or 10 days after intravitreal injection. This indicates that a sub-population of cells within the Lin⁻ HSC fraction selectively target to retinal astrocytes and stably incorporate into developing retinal vasculature. Since these cells have many characteristics of endothelial cells (association with retinal astrocytes, elongate morphology, stable incorporation into patent vessels and not present in extravascular locations), these cells represent EPC present in the Lin⁻ HSC population. The targeted astrocytes are of the same type observed in many of the hypoxic retinopathies; it is well known that glial cells are a prominent component of neovascular fronds observed in DR and other forms of retinal injury. Under conditions of reactive gliosis and ischemia-induced neovascularization, activated astrocytes proliferate, produce cytokines, and up-regulate GFAP, similar to that observed during neonatal retinal vascular template formation in many mammalian species including humans.

To test whether Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention will target activated astrocytes in adult mouse eyes as they do in neonatal eyes, Lin⁻ HSC cells were injected into adult eyes with retinas injured by photo-coagulation (FIG. 3 a) or needle tip (FIG. 3 b). In both models, a population of cells with prominent GFAP staining was observed only around the injury site (FIGS. 3 a and b). Cells from injected Lin⁻ HSC compositions localized to the injury site and remained specifically associated with GFAP-positive astrocytes (FIGS. 3 a and b). At these sites, Lin⁻ HSC cells were also observed to migrate into the deeper layer of retina at a level similar to that observed during neonatal formation of the deep retinal vasculature (data not shown). Uninjured portions of retina contained no Lin⁻ HSC cells, identical to that observed when Lin⁻ HSC were injected into normal, uninjured adult retinas (FIG. 2 e). These data indicate that Lin⁻ HSC compositions can selectively target activated glial cells in injured adult retinas with gliosis as well as neonatal retinas undergoing vascularization.

Intravitreally Injected Lin⁻ HSC can Rescue and Stabilize Degenerating Vasculature

Since intravitreally injected Lin⁻ HSC compositions target astrocytes and incorporate into the normal retinal vasculature, these cells also stabilize degenerating vasculature in ischemic or degenerative retinal diseases associated with gliosis and vascular degeneration. The rd/rd mouse is a model for retinal degeneration that exhibits profound degeneration of photoreceptor and retinal vascular layers by one month after birth. The retinal vasculature in these mice develops normally until P16 at which time the deeper vascular plexus regresses; in most mice the deep and intermediate plexuses have nearly completely degenerated by P30.

To determine whether HSC can rescue the regressing vessels, Lin⁺ or Lin⁻ HSC (from Balb/c mice) were injected into rd/rd mice intravitreally at P6. By P33, after injection with Lin⁺ cells, vessels of the deepest retinal layer were nearly completely absent (FIGS. 4 a and b). In contrast, most Lin⁻ HSC-injected retinas by P33 had a nearly normal retinal vasculature with three parallel, well-formed vascular layers (FIGS. 4 a and 4 d). Quantification of this effect demonstrated that the average length of vessels in the deep vascular plexus of Lin⁻ injected rd/rd eyes was nearly three times greater than untreated or Lin⁺ cell-treated eyes (FIG. 4 e). Surprisingly, injection of a Lin⁻ HSC composition derived from rd/rd adult mouse (FVB/N) bone marrow also rescued degenerating rd/rd neonatal mouse retinal vasculature (FIG. 4 f). Degeneration of the vasculature in rd/rd mouse eyes in observed as early as 2-3 weeks post-natally. Injection of Lin⁻ HSC as late as P15 also resulted in partial stabilization of the degenerating vasculature in the rd/rd mice for at least one month (FIGS. 4 g and 4 h).

A Lin⁻ HSC composition injected into younger (e.g., P2) rd/rd mice also incorporated into the developing superficial vasculature. By P11, these cells were observed to migrate to the level of the deep vascular plexus and form a pattern identical to that observed in the wild type outer retinal vascular layer (FIG. 5 a). In order to more clearly describe the manner in which cells from injected Lin⁻ HSC compositions incorporate into, and stabilize, degenerating retinal vasculature in the rd/rd mice, a Lin⁻ HSC composition derived from Balb/c mice was injected into Tie-2-GFP FVB mouse eyes. The FVB mice have the rd/rd genotype and because they express the fusion protein Tie-2-GFP, all endogenous blood vessels are fluorescent.

When non-labeled cells from a Lin⁻ HSC composition are injected into neonatal Tie-2-GFP FVB eyes and are subsequently incorporated into the developing vasculature, there should be non-labeled gaps in the endogenous, Tie-2-GFP labeled vessels that correspond to the incorporated, non-labeled Lin⁻ HSC that were injected. Subsequent staining with another vascular marker (e.g., CD-31) then delineates the entire vessel, permitting determination as to whether non-endogenous endothelial cells are part of the vasculature. Two months after injection, CD31-positive, Tie-2-GFP negative, vessels were observed in the retinas of eyes injected with the Lin⁻ HSC composition (FIG. 5 b). Interestingly, the majority of rescued vessels contained Tie-2-GFP positive cells (FIG. 5 c). The distribution of pericytes, as determined by staining for smooth muscle actin, was not changed by Lin⁻ HSC injection, regardless of whether there was vascular rescue (FIG. 5 d). These data clearly demonstrate that intravitreally injected Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention migrate into the retina, participate in the formation of normal retinal blood vessels, and stabilize endogenous degenerating vasculature in a genetically defective mouse.

Inhibition of Retinal Angiogenesis by Transfected Cells from Lin⁻ Hsc

The majority of retinal vascular diseases involve abnormal vascular proliferation rather than degeneration. Transgenic cells targeted to astrocytes can be used to deliver an anti-angiogenic protein and inhibit angiogenesis. Cells from Lin⁻ HSC compositions were transfected with T2-tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (T2-TrpRS). T2-TrpRS is a 43 kD fragment of TrpRS that potently inhibits retinal angiogenesis (FIG. 6 a). On P12, retinas of eyes injected with a control plasmid-transfected Lin⁻ HSC composition (no T2-TrpRS gene) on P2 had normal primary (FIG. 6 c) and secondary (FIG. 6 d) retinal vascular plexuses. When the T2-TrpRS transfected Lin⁻ HSC composition of the present invention was injected into P2 eyes and evaluated 10 days later, the primary network had significant abnormalities (FIG. 6 e) and formation of the deep retinal vasculature was nearly completely inhibited (FIG. 6 f). The few vessels observed in these eyes were markedly attenuated with large gaps between vessels. The extent of inhibition by T2-TrpRS-secreting Lin⁻ HSC cells is detailed in Table 2.

T2-TrpRS is produced and secreted by cells in the Lin⁻ HSC composition in vitro and after injection of these transfected cells into the vitreous, a 30 kD fragment of T2-TrpRS in the retina (FIG. 6 b) was observed. This 30 kD fragment was specifically observed only in retinas injected with transfected Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention and this decrease in apparent molecular weight compared to the recombinant or in vitro-synthesized protein may be due to processing or degradation of the T2-TrpRS in vivo. These data indicate that Lin⁻ HSC compositions can be used to deliver functionally active genes, such as genes expressing angiostatic molecules, to the retinal vasculature by targeting to activated astrocytes. While it is possible that the observed angiostatic effect is due to cell-mediated activity this is very unlikely since eyes treated with identical, but non-T2-transfected Lin⁻ HSC compositions had normal retinal vasculature. TABLE 2 Vascular Inhibition by T2-TrpRS-secreting Lin⁻ HSC Cells Primary Plexus Deep Plexus Inhibited Normal Complete Partial Normal TsTrpRs 60%  40% 33.3%   60%  6.7% (15 eyes) (9 eyes)  (6 eyes) (5 eyes) (9 eyes) (1 eye)  Control  0% 100%   0% 38.5% 61.5% (13 eyes) (0 eyes) (13 eyes) (0 eyes) (5 eyes) (8 eyes)

Intravitreally injected Lin⁻ HSC compositions localize to retinal astrocytes, incorporate into vessels, and can be useful in treating many retinal diseases. While most cells from injected HSC compositions adhere to the astrocytic template, small numbers migrate deep into the retina, homing to regions where the deep vascular network will subsequently develop. Even though no GFAP-positive astrocytes were observed in this area prior to 42 days postnatally, this does not rule out the possibility that GFAP-negative glial cells are already present to provide a signal for Lin⁻ HSC localization. Previous studies have shown that many diseases are associated with reactive gliosis. In DR, in particular, glial cells and their extracellular matrix are associated with pathological angiogenesis.

Since cells from injected Lin⁻ HSC compositions specifically attached to GFAP-expressing glial cells, regardless of the type of injury, Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention can be used to target pre-angiogenic lesions in the retina. For example, in the ischemic retinopathies such as diabetes, neovascularization is a response to hypoxia. By targeting Lin⁻ HSC compositions to sites of pathological neovascularization, developing neovasculature can be stabilized preventing abnormalities of neovasculature such as hemorrhage or edema (the causes of vision loss associated with DR) and can potentially alleviate the hypoxia that originally stimulated the neovascularization. Abnormal blood vessels can be restored to normal condition. Furthermore, angiostatic proteins, such as T2-TrpRS can be delivered to sites of pathological angiogenesis by using transfected Lin⁻ HSC compositions and laser-induced activation of astrocytes. Since laser photocoagulation is a commonly used in clinical ophthalmology, this approach has application for many retinal diseases. While such cell-based approaches have been explored in cancer therapy, their use for eye diseases is more advantageous since intraocular injection makes it possible to deliver large numbers of cells directly to the site of disease.

Neurotrophic and Vasculotrophic Rescue by Lin⁻HSC

MACS was used to separate Lin⁻ HSC from bone marrow of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), C3H (rd/rd), FVB (rd/rd) mice as described above. Lin⁻ HSC containing EPC from these mice were injected intravitreally into P6 C3H or FVB mouse eyes. The retinas were collected at various time points (1 month, 2 months, and 6 months) after injection. The vasculature was analyzed by scanning laser confocal microscope after staining with antibodies to CD31 and retinal histology after nuclear staining with DAPI. Microarray gene expression analysis of mRNA from retinas at varying time points was also used to identify genes potentially involved in the effect.

Eyes of rd/rd mice had profound degeneration of both neurosensory retina and retinal vasculature by P21. Eyes of rd/rd mice treated with Lin⁻ HSC on P6 maintained a normal retinal vasculature for as long as 6 months; both deep and intermediate layers were significantly improved when compared to the controls at all timepoints (1M, 2M, and 6M) (see FIG. 12). In addition, we observed that retinas treated with Lin⁻HSC were also thicker (1M; 1.2-fold, 2M; 1.3-fold, 6M; 1.4-fold) and had greater numbers of cells in the outer nuclear layer (1M; 2.2-fold, 2M; 3.7-fold, 6M; 5.7-fold) relative to eyes treated with Lin⁺ HSC as a control. Large scale genomic analysis of “rescued” (e.g., Lin⁻ HSC) compared to control (untreated or non-Lin⁻ treated) rd/rd retinas demonstrated a significant up-regulation of genes encoding sHSPs (small heat shock proteins) and specific growth factors that correlated with vascular and neural rescue, including factors shown in Table 3.

The bone marrow derived Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention significantly and reproducibly induce maintenance of a normal vasculature and dramatically increase photoreceptor and other neuronal cell layers in the rd/rd mouse. This neurotrophic rescue effect is correlated with significant up-regulation of small heat shock proteins and growth factors and, thus, provides insights into therapeutic approaches to currently untreatable retinal degenerative disorders. TABLE 3 Genes Upregulated in Lin⁻ HSC Injected Mouse Retinas Control Common Name Lin (−) CD31 (−) rd mice Genbank # Comments Tgtp 11.855 0.526 0.664 L38444 T-cell-specific protein H-2D4(q) 7.091 0.916 0.694 X52914 transplantation antigen H2-K2; H-2K2 4.507 0.705 0.547 M27134 cell surface glycoprotein Lzp-s 6.514 0.648 0.987 X51547 lysozyme; lysozyme P Kcnj5 4.501 0.855 0.722 U33631 G-protein gated K+ channel EST 2.905 1.000 0.750 AA087373 EST Scya8 5.186 0.470 0.996 AB023418 MCP-2 precursor Ly6a 4.020 0.962 0.792 X04653 Ly-6 alloantigen Anxa1 2.490 0.599 0.510 AV003419 EST Pip5k1c 3.405 0.944 0.782 AB006916 phosphatidylinositolkinase EST 3.999 0.502 0.975 AU042276 EST MAD 3.763 0.560 0.892 X83106 MAX dimerization protein Cxadr 3.977 0.814 1.000 U90715 CAR Isg15 2.218 0.642 0.449 X56602 interferon inducible protein EST 3.512 0.901 0.978 AA790936 EST Tm4sf1 3.022 0.493 0.697 AV087000 EST IgG VH-II 2.644 0.948 0.909 X02463 Ig heavy chain; variable region Yy1 2.967 0.854 0.874 M74590 delta-transcription factor EST 2.952 0.869 0.822 AA739246 EST EST 2.575 0.486 0.650 AW046243 EST Psmb9 3.288 0.492 0.975 D44456 polypeptide complex subunit 2 EST 2.195 0.873 0.904 AV172782 EST H2-Aa 2.627 0.878 0.940 X52643 I-E alpha NON, MHC EST 2.697 0.791 0.869 AV076889 EST Crystallin genes Crybb2 8.726 0.552 0.831 M60559 beta-B2-crystallin Cryaa 3.995 0.567 1.000 J00376 alpha-A-crystallin CrygD 2.090 0.740 0.972 AJ224342 gamma-D-crystallin Cryba1 6.520 0.930 0.603 AJ239052 beta-A3/A1-crystallin Crygs 2.892 0.971 0.854 AF032995 gamma-S-crystallin CrygC 5.067 1.000 0.826 Z22574 gamma-C-crystallin CrygF 1.942 0.999 0.688 AJ224343 gamma-F-crystallin Discussion.

Markers for lineage-committed hematopoietic cells were used to negatively select a population of bone marrow-derived Lin⁻ HSC containing EPC. While the sub-population of bone marrow-derived Lin⁻ HSC that can serve as EPC is not characterized by commonly used cell surface markers, the behavior of these cells in developing or injured retinal vasculature is entirely different than that observed for Lin⁺ or adult endothelial cell populations. Further subfractionation of HSC using markers such as Sca-1, indicated that Lin⁻Scal⁺cells did not show any substantial difference from the use of Lin⁻ HSC cells alone. These cells selectively target to sites of retinal angiogenesis and participate in the formation of patent blood vessels.

Inherited retinal degenerative diseases are often accompanied by loss of retinal vasculature. Effective treatment of such diseases requires restoration of function as well as maintenance of complex tissue architecture. While several recent studies have explored the use of cell-based delivery of trophic factors or stem cells themselves, some combination of both may be necessary. For example, use of growth factor therapy to treat retinal degenerative disease resulted in unregulated overgrowth of blood vessels resulting in severe disruption of the normal retinal tissue architecture. The use of neural or retinal stem cells to treat retinal degenerative disease may reconstitute neuronal function, but a functional vasculature will also be necessary to maintain retinal functional integrity. Incorporation of cells from a Lin⁻ HSC composition of the present invention into the retinal vessels of rd/rd mice stabilized the degenerative vasculature without disrupting retinal structure. This rescue effect was also observed when the cells were injected into P15 rd/rd mice. Since vascular degeneration begins on P16 in rd/rd mice, this observation expands the therapeutic window for effective Lin⁻ HSC treatment. Retinal neurons and photoreceptors are preserved and visual function is maintained in eyes injected with the Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention.

Lin⁻ HSC compositions of the present invention contain a population of EPC that can promote angiogenesis by targeting reactive astrocytes and incorporate into an established template without disrupting retinal structure. The Lin⁻ HSC of the present invention also provide a surprising long-term neurotrophic rescue effect in eyes suffering from retinal degeneration. In addition, genetically modified, autologous Lin⁻ HSC compositions containing EPC can be transplanted into ischemic or abnormally vascularized eyes and can stably incorporate into new vessels and continuously deliver therapeutic molecules locally for prolonged periods of time. Such local delivery of genes that express pharmacological agents in physiologically meaningful doses represents a new paradigm for treating currently untreatable ocular diseases. 

1. An isolated, mammalian, bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cell population comprising endothelial progenitor cells in which at least about 50% of the total cells of the cell population express CD31 and c-kit, and not more than about 1 percent of the total cells of the cell population express Tie-2.
 2. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein at least 75% of the total cells of the cell population express CD31.
 3. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein at least 65% of the total cells of the cell population express c-kit.
 4. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein at least 80% of the total cells of the cell population express CD31 and at least 70% of the total cells of the cell population express c-kit.
 5. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein the cell population comprises murine cells.
 6. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein the cell population comprises human cells.
 7. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein up to about 8% of the total cells of the cell population express Sca-1 and up to about 4% of the total cells of the cell population express Flk-1/KDR.
 8. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein about 50% to about 85% of the total cells of the cell population express CD31, about 70% to about 75% of the total cells of the cell population express c-kit, about 4% to about 8% of the total cells of the cell population express Sca-1, and about 2% to about 4% of the total cells of the cell population express Flk-1/KDR.
 9. The isolated cell population of claim 1 further including a cell culture medium.
 10. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein the cell population is obtained from mammalian bone marrow.
 11. The isolated cell population of claim 1 wherein the cell population is obtained from human bone marrow.
 12. A method of isolating bone marrow-derived, hematopoietic stem cells including endothelial progenitor cells comprising the steps of: (a) extracting bone marrow from a mammal; (b) separating a plurality of monocytes from the bone marrow; (c) labeling the plurality of monocytes with biotin conjugated lineage panel antibodies to CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119; and (d) removing monocytes that were lineage positive for CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119 from the plurality of monocytes to provide a population of hematopoietic stem cells including endothelial progenitor cells.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the mammal is an adult mammal.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the mammal is a mouse.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the mammal is a human.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein at least about 50% of the total cells of the cell population express CD31 and c-kit.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the population of hematopoietic stem cells includes endothelial progenitor cells capable of targeting glial enriched regions of injured adult retinas.
 18. An isolated, mammalian, bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cell population produced by the method of claim
 12. 19. The isolated cell population of claim 18 wherein at least about 50% of the total cells of the cell population express CD31 and c-kit, and not more than about 1% of the total cells of the cell population express Tie-2.
 20. The isolated cell population of claim 18 wherein the cell population comprises murine cells.
 21. The isolated cell population of claim 18 wherein the cell population comprises human cells.
 22. A method of enhancing retinal neovacularization in a mammal comprising intravitreally injecting cells from the cell population of claim 1 into the eye of a mammal in need of retinal neovascularization, wherein the cell population is obtained from bone marrow of the same species of mammal as the species into whose eye the cells are injected.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the mammal is a mouse.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the mammal is a human.
 25. A method of treating an ocular disease in a mammal comprising isolating from the bone marrow of the mammal a hematopoietic stem cell population that includes endothelial progenitor cells and intravitreally injecting cells from the cell population into an eye of the mammal in an amount sufficient to arrest the disease, wherein at least about 50% of the total cells of the cell population express CD31 and c-kit, and not more than about 1 percent of the total cells of the cell population express Tie-2.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the amount of cells injected is effective for repairing retinal damage in the eye.
 27. The method of claim 25 wherein the amount of cells injected is effective for stabilizing retinal neovasculature of the eye.
 28. The method of claim 25 wherein the amount of cells injected is effective for maturing retinal neovasculature of the eye.
 29. The method of claim 25 wherein the cell population is isolated by: (a) extracting bone marrow from the mammal; (b) separating a plurality of monocytes from the bone marrow; (c) labeling the plurality of monocytes with biotin conjugated lineage panel antibodies to CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119; and (d) removing monocytes that were lineage positive for CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119 from the plurality of monocytes to provide a population of hematopoietic stem cells including endothelial progenitor cells.
 30. The method of claim 25 wherein the mammal is a human.
 31. The method of claim 25 wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of a retinal degenerative disease, a retinal vascular degenerative disease, an ischemic retinopathy, a vascular hemorrhage, a vascular leakage, a choroidopathy, age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, presumed ocular histoplasmosis, retinopathy of prematurity, sickle cell anemia, and retinitis pigmentosa.
 32. A method of inducing neurotrophic rescue in a retina of a mammal suffering from a retinal degenerative disease comprising intravitreally injecting a neurotrophic rescue-inducing amount of cells from the cell population of claim 1 into a diseased eye of the mammal.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the cell population is isolated by: (a) extracting bone marrow from the mammal; (b) separating a plurality of monocytes from the bone marrow; (c) labeling the plurality of monocytes with biotin conjugated lineage panel antibodies to CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119; and (d) removing monocytes that were lineage positive for CD45, CD3, Ly-6G, CD11 and TER-119 from the plurality of monocytes to provide a population of hematopoietic stem cells including endothelial progenitor cells.
 34. The method of claim 32 wherein the mammal is a human. 